Yesterday, Senator Bernie Sanders announced his intention to run for the Democratic nomination for the 2016 presidential election. So far, he is the only real progressive challenger to Hillary Clinton. Elizabeth Warren isn’t running. We hope that Sanders will push the debate to engage with the needs of millions of Americans who are being left behind in an America dominated by corporations.

At Progressive Kick, we use the website ProgressivePunch.org, our cousin organization, to measure how progressive members of Congress are. Progressive Punch uses the collective voting record of a group of consistently progressive legislators – the “progressive cohort” contrasted with Republicans – as a standard to measure how progressive other members of Congress are in their votes. Since Progressive Punch first devised its algorithm to calculate progressive scores, Senator Sanders has always been a part of the progressive cohort due to his consistency and dedication to progressive values, particularly economic justice and the defense of working- and middle-class Americans.

He has tirelessly advocated on behalf of the 99%, and he does not take a back seat to anyone in his critique of what he calls “hypercapitalism.” While Hillary Clinton has clearly benefited personally from her close ties with the corporate world, Sanders has stated he will not take corporate contributions during his run and is deeply committed to narrowing the wealth and income gaps in our country. He has supported legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 and other policies to develop infrastructure to provide support and job opportunities to working-class people.

His progressive record includes co-sponsoring a bill to cap carbon emissions, voting against the Defense of Marriage Act, and repeatedly advocating for a universal single-payer healthcare system beyond the Affordable Care Act.

We’re under no illusions or delusions about the obstacles Sanders would have to overcome to win. But we at Progressive Kick enthusiastically endorse Bernie Sanders for President and eagerly look forward to his campaign. We’ll pitch in as we can.

We have teamed up with the nation’s nurses to get out the vote against vulnerable incumbents in four pivotal states — Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine and Kansas — with $1.29 million in online, satellite TV and Pandora ads.

Progressive Kick President Joshua Grossman says all four of the incumbents targeted – Govs. Rick Snyder, Scott Walker, Paul LePage and Sam Brownback – have done little if anything for their constituents.

“All four of these governors have shown that they’re unworthy of the people they represent. At least three have imposed extremist Tea Party agendas, leaving their states in shambles, hurting everyday people on many fronts,” said Grossman. “That’s just no way to treat your constituents. We had to step up and do something.”

The 30-second spots target low-propensity voting Democrats and swing voters, urging them to join the nurses to “make a plan” to vote on Nov. 4. Experience shows that citizens who commit to voting are more likely to actually show up at the polls on Election Day.

“While at Gateway, he denied equal-paying jobs to women. As governor, he raised taxes on working parents, cut millions from schools and gave huge tax giveaways to wealthy corporations,” Raymond says.

Notes Progressive Kick President Joshua Grossman: “He’s a former CEO. Some CEOs are enlightened. Unfortunately Snyder’s the type who understands the needs of corporations more than those of everyday Michiganders barely crawling out of the worst recession since the Great Depression. It’s time for Michigan to elect a governor who better understands real people.

The 30-second spot targeted toward low-propensity voting Democrats and swing voters ends with a plea for viewers to join the nurses to “make a plan” to vote on November 4th. Experience shows that citizens who commit to voting are more likely to actually show up at the polls on Election Day.

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Progressive Kick is a national progressive SuperPAC & 527, focused on elections and incumbent accountability.We target the United States Congress and state legislators.

Paid for by Progressive Kick and Progressive Kick IEC, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.Contributions to Progressive Kick are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.